William r



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

w. R. GARNER.

4 SIGN.

No. 468,766. I Patented Feb. 9, 1892.

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ATTORNEYS (No Model.) R. GARNER 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.-

SIGN.

No. 468,766. Patented Feb. 9, 1892.

V lNVE/VTOR. William 12. lia /river W/TNE SSE S ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. GARNER, OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

SIGN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 468,766, dated February 9, 1892.

Application filed July 1, 1891 Serial No. 398,177. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM R. GARNER, of Galveston, in the county of Galveston and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Signs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in signs for street-railroad cars; and the invention consists in certain features of construction and novel combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevavation Fig. 2, a front elevation; Fig. 3, a vertical longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section; and Fig. 5 is a top plan View, of my improved sign, parts of a streetcar being shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.

The sign in the. construction shown comprises a main frame or casing A, a top portion,

and the sash-signs proper 0. By preference the main frame is made triangular, as shown, with the point or apex to the rear, providing the three sash-signs, one at each side and the other at the front. These sash-signs, as will be seen, are arranged so that the front sign can be read as the car approaches and the side ones can be read by persons in the rear or on the sides of the car. This is desirable, as in cases where cars are run alternately, one to one destination or route and the next to another, if a car has just passed, if it can be seen where such car is bound the destination of the next one is known also. At the edge of the base the frame slopes upward from its broad end to its point or apex, and the front side is curved or otherwise conformed to the contour of the car-roof.

The sash-signs have glass panes, on which the sign matter may be painted or otherwise inscribed or produced, so it may be seen in the day-time, and may be read at night by illuminating the interior of the sign. These sashes are fitted removably in the main frame and are fastened therein by the latches D, which maybe ordinary spring-latches, so that they may be readily removed and others inserted in their stead, when so desired.

The roof of the main frame is sloped with sufficient pitch to properly shed water, and is provided at its center with an opening E, over which is fitted the top or cover box F, which is made triangular, like the main frame, is hinged at its rear edge thereto at f, and is provided at its front end with a fastening or latch f, which may be released to permit the top box to be lifted on its hinge to give access to the light, which may be an electric incandescent light, gas, oil, or other suitable illuminant, as desired. This cover is arranged with its sides and base parallelv with the corresponding sides and base of the main portion of the sign, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 5. At its corners the main frame is fastened in use to the car by means of fastening devices,

which may be such as shown.

It will be seen that by my invention I avoid the necessity of painting cars different colors to. distinguish their destinations, and, changing the signs on cars by repainting, can use any car on any desired route, as the change of sign-sashes is but the Work of a few minutes, and also provide a simple, inexpensive construction for indicating clearly the route or destination of a car.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The combination, substantially as de-- scribed, of the car, the sign thereon madetriangular in cross-section, provided in its top with an opening and having a movable cover therefor and conformed at its base to the top of the car and fitted thereon, and fastening devices by which to secure the sign directly to the car, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

\VILLIAM R. GARNER. 

